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ZANGO Volume 37(2/2023)
No full textAll editorial correspondences should be sent to: ZANGO, the Zambian Journal of Contemporary Issues, UNZA Press,
C/O The University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia or email [email protected]
Stakeholder Perspectives of Pbl and Their Involvement in the Implementation of Play Pedagogy in Selected Schools Offering ECE in Southern and Central Zambia
Full text linkWhile several studies have been done on parental involvement in early childhood education, gaps still exists relating to the conceptualisation of play and play-based learning in different contexts. The various perceptions of play and play- based learning have a strong influence on their involvement in play-based learning activities involving children in Early Childhood Education. Using a qualitative approach, framed within the interpretive research paradigm, this study revealed a disjuncture between the positive perception held by the stakeholders on play and PBL to the reality of play-based learning in the ECE schools. The researchers asked three questions: 1. What are the perceptions of parents, community, and school administrators (teachers and administrators) regarding play and play-based learning? 2. How do these stakeholders get involved in PBL? 3. And what factors influence their involvement? The researchers collected data through key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions and classroom observations. The study established that the involvement in PBL varied among stakeholders. For parents and community members their involvement was often based on solicitation by the school administrators and external development agencies - as opposed to volunteering postulated by Epstein’s theory of parental involvement employed in the study. Among the factors that influenced their participation was a general lack of a clear understanding of PBL and their role and functions in PBL and ECE in general. Thus, the study recommends capacity building in PBL for parents, community members and school administrators
Trends and Status of Rabbit Production and Research in Lusaka District
Full text linkRabbit production has the potential to help alleviate poverty levels through job creation, income from the sales of rabbits and their products, and a supply of nutritional food, given its urban and peri-urban functionality. However, not much is known about rabbit production and productivity in Zambia. This study was a rapid survey which was intended to document rabbit production systems, management practices, and provide estimates of rabbit productivity in Lusaka, Zambia. Three production systems (extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive) were determined given the following criteria: breeds and number reared, housing provided, feed supplied, management practices and marketing of rabbits and by-products. Most producers practiced an extensive production system, rearing few local and crossbred rabbits which fed mostly on vegetables, and their housing was made of locally available wood materials and or on deep litter. The intensive production system, however, involved purebreds such as New Zealand White (NZW), Chinchilla (CH), California White (CA), Dutch (DU) and Flemish Giant (FG) and their crosses, with numbers ranging between 50 and 100 breeding animals raised in individual metal , cages, fed hay and pelleted concentrate feed. Mortality was lower given the conducive environment and high management practices that reduced contact with faecal droppings and allowed urine to be collected for sale. The semi-intensive production system lies in the middle and is pivotal to improving productivity in the rabbit industry. Mean performances reported were litter size at birth (3.3, 5.2, 6.4), litter weight at birth (105g, 225g, 410g), litter size at weaning (1.9, 4.1, 5.7), litter weaning weight (650g, 1955g, 3256g) and average mature weight (1510g, 2120g, 2825g) for the extensive, semi-intensive and intensive production systems accordingly. The two major challenges were the limited source of breeding animals, which predisposes the sector to a high level of inbreeding and inadequate veterinary care, leading to a high mortality of over 30 per cent. The government is encouraged to develop a national rabbit development programme that will address the above-mentioned challenge
The Management of Environmental Risks arising from mining operations in Kitwe and Mufulira
No full textMining as an extractive industry has both positive and negative impacts. The positive impacts are economic growth and job creation whereas the negative impacts pose risks to the general environment and human health. On this premise this study was carried out in order: To i) identify risks posed by mining operations to the environment and human health in Kankoyo and Nkana West, and ii) determine the extent to which the risk management strategies used by mining operators adequately address environmental and health risks in the study areas. The findings showed that the risks from mining in Nkana West residential area were minimal reduced whereas Kankoyo Township was still being impacted by serious pollution from Mopani Copper Mines operations. A questionnaire survey and a number of published articles revealed that Kankoyo and Nkana West are characterised by pollution of air, water and land with Kankoyo being the most affected by air and land pollution. The prominent health problem was respiratory tract infections resulting from smelting activities. Tests carried out on water samples collected from Uchi and Mwekera Streams in Kitwe indicated that Uchi had above limit concentrations of cobalt, manganese and iron which were attributed to effluent discharged from the Nkana mines. With regard to institutional arrangements, it was revealed that they were not adequate and this was evidenced by the relevant authorities’ lack of vital monitoring equipment and human resource for ensuring that mining companies were in compliance with the environmental regulations
The Leadership Role of Women in Selected Church Denominations of Kabwe District, Zambia
No full textThe study examined the leadership role of women in the church in Zambia, with reference to the views of adherents of different churches in Kabwe District. Using a phenomenological design, it examined the adherents’ views from the contemporary Christian perspective, based on the following principles that are relevant to the current status of women: Since every individual is infinitely worth in the sight of God, humans should demonstrate respect for all persons, seek to create a social order in which neither laws nor customs should sanction any form of injustice; whatever may be the norm in the social order, in the Christian fellowship there should be no discrimination on the basis of sex; and all persons have the right and the responsibility to mature as individuals, to develop their own potential and to use their talents to the fullest extent possible. Basing on these principles, the study was carried out and data was collected from 20 participants using qualitative methods. The study established that the leadership role of women in the targeted churches was a crucial issue in Kabwe Disctrict. In the Catholic Church, for example, women were ineligible for ordination to the priesthood. The sentiments gathered from the majority of the participants favoured women ordination in the Catholic Church, the situation was not likely to change in the near future. This was not the same scenario among the targeted protestant churches in which the converse applied; most of the denominations, such as Bread of Life, accepted women as pastors. The study concluded that the church in Kabwe District remained predominantly patriarchal as far as distribution of leadership roles on the basis of gender was concerned. An equitable application of gender equality within the church was yet to be realised
THE POLITICS AND PROSPECTS OF AMOTEKUN REGIONAL SECURITY NETWORK IN YORUBA SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA
Full text linkNigeria has grappled with several security challenges emanating from communal and religious conflicts, urban violence, arms smuggling, kidnapping, human trafficking, cybercrime, and armed robbery from independence. Recent Niger Delta militancy, Boko-Haram insurgency in the North-East, Fulani herdsmen, bandits attacks, kidnapping, and ritual killings have continued to wreak havoc on the country’s security landscape. Efforts to curb security challenges have seen the deployment of both conventional and unconventional measures, including the police, military and other paramilitary organisations, militias and vigilante groups. However, all these interventions are yet to produce the necessary outcomes. Thus, as a way of curbing the persistent insecurities in their states, the governors of the South-West Yoruba speaking states inaugurated the Western Nigeria Security Network Code Amotekun. Using the historical and analytical approach, the article contends that the formation of the security network despite fierce opposition by some ethnic nationalities and federal government functionaries cannot be unconnected with the successful mobilisation of the Yoruba ethnic solidarity and renaissance of common attributes. This includes the myth of common ancestry, invincibility of traditional armies and tactics as displayed in Jalumi wars and Agbekoya uprising, survival instincts, and the elite consensus among others. The article concludes that proper synergy among the Amotekun security network and state machineries would bring about the needed success with minimal suspicion
Evaluating the Key Roles of Contract Administrators in the Zambian Construction Industry
Full text linkThe nature of the construction contract administrator’s role from project commencement to completion is multifaceted and complex. Additionally, successfully performing the role, requires various skills. Different perspectives exist on what contract administrators do and what competencies are necessary for the day-to-day administration of a construction contract. The aim of the study was to determine contract administrators’ key roles in the Zambian construction industry. This study provides literature that gives an understanding of what role contract administrators should fulfil. Having this knowledge will enable them to carry out their functions effectively and this will foster completion of construction projects within the stipulated conditions of the contracts. This research shows the key roles of a contract administrator at the various stages of construction that are categorised depending on a particular stage of construction. These roles include risk-related, cost, schedule, procurement, integration and resource-related roles
Reproductive Performance of Semi-Intensively Managed Dairy Herd in Zambia
Full text linkThis study was undertaken to provide empirical evidence for some reproductive performance traits in a dairy herd managed under a semi-intensive production system in Zambia. Milk production and calving records on 106 milking cows were analysed over a 12-year period involving Friesian, Jersey, Friesian x Jersey, Friesian x Simmental and Jersey x Sussex breeds. With an average parity order of 4.4, the average total milk production per lactation, average daily milk production, calving interval, and calving rate were 1,996 ± 493.5Kg, 7.9 ± 2.6Kg, 473.1 ± 138.5 days, and 77.2% respectively. Milk production was significantly higher from mid November to April compared to other months and this corresponds to the significant seasonal effect observed. A significant breed effect was found with total milk yield per lactation and average milk yield. There were significant parity effects on average daily milk production and calving interval. However, there was no significant breed effect on the calving interval. The correlation of average milk yield with calving interval was -0.26, and the parity order with average milk yield was 0.65. Friesian x Jersey crossbred showed heterosis for milk production (48.3%) and calving interval (11.4%). Breeding strategies can, therefore, be targeted at using Jersey x Friesian crossbred for the emergent smallholder farmer
Escherichia coli Contamination Levels of Water from Unprotected Wells in Chaona Community, Mwachisompola Area of Chibombo District of Zambia
Full text linkA quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted to detect the presence of E. coli in unprotected water wells of Chaona Community in Mwachisompola area, Chibombo District of Zambia. 48 wells drawn from four villages were sampled from the study area. Laboratory processes of culturing, isolation and identification of E. coli confirmed the occurrence of the bacterium in well water. The identified E. coli was subjected to antibiotic resistance testing, and PCR was used to detect the resistant genes further. Of the 48 unprotected wells sampled, 38 (79%, 95% CI: 77.3 – 80.7%) were found contaminated with E. coli. Meanwhile, 16/48 (33.3%; CI: 31.4 – 35.2%) samples were found with an average CFU of between 1000 and 10,000, the highest range. E. coli isolates were also tested for Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR), of which one isolate indicated being resistant to eight antibiotics and another to five antibiotics presenting (5.88%; CI: 3.2 – 8.6%) for each. Meanwhile, seven isolates were resistant to four antibiotics (41.2%; CI: 35.5 – 46.9%), and eight isolates were resistant to three antibiotics (41.1%, CI: 35.4 – 46.9%). In addition, 30.9% (17/55) of the isolated E.coli organisms were found to be resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics primarily; Ampicillin, Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Cefotaxime, Nalidixic Acid, Norfloxacin, and Ciprofloxacin. The study revealed that E. coli contamination was highly possible, and it is recommended that water should be boiled and or treated with chlorine before use at the household level
A Review on Bioinformatics in Animal Breeding and Research on Disease Resistance
Full text linkIntegrating bioinformatics in animal breeding has transformed how genetic information is utilised to improve disease resistance and overall productivity in livestock. This article examines the roles of bioinformatics in animal breeding, with a particular focus on research related to disease resistance. It explores the latest advances in genome sequencing, genomic selection, and the identifi cation of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) that contribute to disease resistance. By leveraging recent literature, it highlights the potential of bioinformatics tools and techniques to accelerate breeding programmes, improve animal health, and enhance the effi ciency of livestock production. It also discusses the challenges associated with bioinformatics in animal breeding, such as data management and the need for interdisciplinary collaboratio